A pre-Australian Open exhibition tournament is scheduled for next year, and ten stars have already committed to play. The competition will take place in Melbourne starting on January 10 and ending two days prior to the commencement of the year’s first Grand Slam.
Three players from the men’s top-10 ATP tennis rankings are among those who have already committed to participating in the event, including Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune, and Frances Tiafoe.
These players, along with Americans Ben Shelton and Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, are frequently regarded as some of the best young players competing in the men’s singles division. Peter Johnston, the Kooyong Classic tournament director, was thrilled with the level of players who will be able to compete in the event.
Johnston expressed his thoughts in an interview and said: “It is a massive tick of approval for the tournament to have players who have excelled on the world’s biggest stages identify this event as an ideal way to prepare for the Australian Grand Slam tournament.”
He further added: “The five signings announced so far all have aspirations of performing extremely strongly at the Australian Open, and this is a great way for them to hone their form. Each one offers something different on the court, which should lead to compelling matches for tennis fans to enjoy over the three days of the tournament.”
Jannik Sinner in 2023
Currently ranked no.4 (career-high), Sinner played his last match on the 19th of November when he was overcome by world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-3 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
During this season Sinner has managed to achieve a compiled 61-15 win-loss record. Sinner has won 4 titles in 2023 in Montpellier, Toronto, Beijing and Vienna. Sinner was the finalist in Rotterdam, Miami and the Nitto ATP Finals.
Holger Rune in 2023
Currently the world no.8, the Dane played his last match on the 16th of November when he was defeated by world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season Holger has an overall 44-24 win-loss record. The Dane clinched 1 title in Munich. The Dane was the runner-up in Monte-Carlo and Rome.
Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune fought against each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Rune. Before, the last time they played each other, Jannik Sinner won 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the round robin in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) on the 16th of November 2023.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Frances Tiafoe in 2023
Now the world no.16, the American played his last match on the 30th of October when he lost to world no.32 Alexander Bublik 6-3 6-4 in the 1st round in Paris (draw).
At present, during this year the American has a 40-21 match record. The American conquered 3 titles in 2023 in Australia, Houston and Stuttgart.
Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe |
| Embed from Getty Images |